Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
  • A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
  • A61N5/10—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy
  • A61N5/1001—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy
  • A61N5/1014—Intracavitary radiation therapy
  • A61N5/1015—Treatment of resected cavities created by surgery, e.g. lumpectomy
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
  • A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
  • A61N5/10—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy
  • A61N5/1001—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy
  • A61N5/1014—Intracavitary radiation therapy
  • A61N2005/1018—Intracavitary radiation therapy with multiple channels for guiding radioactive sources

Definitions

• FIGS. 38A and 38B are perspective and end views, respectively, of a tenth exemplary embodiment of an expandable brachytherapy apparatus, including elongate members with wings to increase surface area of the elongate members;
• the therapy delivery portion 104 may form a carrier pod of therapeutic elements, e.g., radiation sources such as radioactive seeds 108, secured relative to one another and to the therapy delivery portion 104.
• One or more spacers 110 may optionally be located between each seed 108 to obtain the desired seed separation.
• the brachytherapy device 102 may include a flexible casing or casing member 112, in which the seeds 108 and optional spacers 110 are securely retained.
• FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate an exemplary method of using the brachytherapy apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.
• FIGS. 2F-17B show alternative embodiments of the therapy device 102 of FIGS. 2A-2E, and methods for using them. Additional information on making and using the apparatus 100 may be found in applications Serial Nos. 10/658,518, filed September 9, 2003, 11/554,731, filed October 31, 2006, 11/557,747, filed November 8, 2006, and 11/276,851, filed March 16, 2006.
• the tubing may include reinforcing elements (e.g., flat wire braid, not shown) within its wall to provide enhanced torsional and/or flexural stiffness.
• the elongate members 2906 may include other features providing pathways extending between the proximal and distal ends 2906a, 2906b.
• the elongate members 2906 may include grooves or tracks (not shown), which may receive one or more sources of radiation (also not shown), as described further below.
• the features may include any other interlocking features that restrict movement of one or more sources of radiation, e.g., to axial movement along the elongate members.
• a brachytherapy device and stiffening member may be inserted into their respective lumens 2918 and 2920 either before or after the apparatus 2900 is implanted into a target location, as described elsewhere herein.
• the flange 2914 may further include a locking member or ring (not shown) that may secure one or both of the brachytherapy devices and stiffening members relative to the flange 2914.
• the characteristics of the radioactive sources are chosen (e.g., LDR seed activity levels, HDR dwell positions, etc.), and prepared for placement into the apparatus 2900 via the access openings 2922/2924.
• the characteristics of the radioactive sources e.g., brachytherapy devices
• LDR seed activity levels, HDR dwell positions, etc. are chosen (e.g., LDR seed activity levels, HDR dwell positions, etc.), and prepared for placement into the apparatus 2900 via the access openings 2922/2924.
• individual pods or other radiation sources may be loaded into respective elongate members 2906 simultaneously or sequentially, thereby providing a three dimensional array of seeds or radiation sources that may remain in the target location for an extended period of time.
• the seeds may be spaced apart on each pod or have different radioactive intensities, according to the dose plan.
• FIGS. 33A-33G illustrate an alternative embodiment of an intracavitary brachytherapy apparatus 3600.
• the apparatus 3600 may include a brachytherapy device 3602 having a therapy delivery portion 3604 and external, e.g., tail, portions 3606.
• the therapy delivery portion 3604 may be formed by a deformable and elongate radioactive source, e.g., coil member 3608.
• the coil member 3608 may form a helical coil wound about an elongate core member 3610. At least one end of the coil member 3608 (e.g., a proximal end) may be secured to an attachment member (e.g., a sleeve 3612) that translates and/or rotates about the core member 3610.
• This configuration provides a low profile device that may be inserted into a target region, e.g., lumpectomy cavity (not shown), via a relatively small incision.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

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Citations (3)

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• 2007
  • 2007-06-01 CA CA2653617A patent/CA2653617C/en active Active
  • 2007-06-01 US US11/757,231 patent/US9072893B2/en active Active
  • 2007-06-01 EP EP07798023A patent/EP2029230A2/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2007-06-01 WO PCT/US2007/070236 patent/WO2007143560A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2007-06-01 JP JP2009513474A patent/JP5213851B2/ja active Active
  • 2007-06-01 AU AU2007256766A patent/AU2007256766B2/en active Active

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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